Following court approval of an agreement with Attorney General Chris Koster that Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary cease operations for 30 days, shelter officials say the majority of the alleged violations have been corrected.

Koster filed a lawsuit against Safe Harbor Oct. 22 for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Board treasurer Kris Sneed said the department conducted an inspection Friday and

returned Monday to give an exit report.

Sneed said everything has been corrected, except for reducing the animal population. That can't be done until the order not to accept animals or offer them for adoption has been lifted.

Along with director Alice Wybert, Safe Harbor has one part-time employee and relies on volunteers. Sneed said when these matters are cleared up, the shelter would like to hire two more part-time people.

"Since you can't rely on what volunteers are going to show up, we need to have some we actually pay, so they will show up," Sneed said.

Wybert said the shelter used to have eight board members, but three were voted off. She said there are now 10 board members, including five from the previous board.

"We've got a great group of people," board secretary Linda Sebaugh said. "We're excited to do what we do out there; we want to help those animals."

Asked if people on the board saw this coming, Sneed said, "There had been some internal problems with the old board members that have been voted off and the new board members fighting over what and how and who everything should be done."

"We knew that we were having problems trying to all get along and agree on what should be done," Sneed said.

Wybert is pleased with the new board members.

"They are in the trenches. They volunteer here every week. I have no qualms about these people," Wybert said.

A temporary restraining order issued Friday says the shelter cannot accept or adopt out any animals for 30 days, except dogs provided for the Puppies for Parole programs. The order is in place until a trial can be held.

Approved by Judge William Syler on Thursday, the order also says, in part, that the shelter is ordered to provide a written inventory of all animals in its custody and control as of the filing date, including the identification of the animals, their locations and health conditions.

The sanctuary will have full access to its bank accounts and funds necessary for day-to-day operations of the shelter. It must make an accounting by 5 p.m. the following Monday, when any funds are spent.

Wybert said the shelter has just over 200 animals, with room for more. It takes in mostly cats and dogs, but it has sheltered rabbits and guinea pigs left on its doorstep.

The shelter has been open for nine years and Wybert has worked there the same amount of time.

Koster's lawsuit is against Wybert and Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in Jackson. The Department of Agriculture showed "numerous past and current violations of the law," including:

• Repeatedly failing to take sick animals to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment; Sneed said all the animals that needed to see a veterinarian have, or a vet has been consulted.
• Failing to follow cat housing requirements, at one point keeping more than 40 cats in a single room.
• Failing to maintain clean housing facilities;
• Failing to identify the animals properly; Sneed said animals without collars are now wearing them.
• Failing to maintain health records for the animals.

A petition filed Oct. 22 in circuit court in Cape Girardeau County states during 2013 and 2014, inadequate veterinary care, housing and health practices were provided at the shelter for animals, mainly cats, which is in violation of the state's Animal Care Facilities Act.

The state's rules require that caretakers maintain individual health records on animals older than 8 weeks.

The complaint states Wybert did not keep records for several cats that were sick during an inspection by animal welfare officials. The cats later died.

Animal welfare officials, according to the complaint, directed the shelter to consult with a veterinarian about the cats' health. No records could be produced showing the animals that died, along with other visibly sick animals, received veterinary care, according to the complaint.

The shelter also allegedly kept too many animals in its enclosures and did not keep the facility clean enough to meet the state's requirements.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

359 Cree Lane, Jackson, MO

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Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary board secretary Linda Sebaugh said the facility provides veterinary care, shelter, spay and neutering and a permanent home to animals homeless animals.

Sebaugh said director Alice Wyber provides a *"great service to our community.*"

Safe Harbor opened in 2005, and because of it, Sebaugh said 2,393 dogs and cats that would have been left on the street or euthanized have been placed in loving homes.